Background and purpose: North cities in the southern Caspian Sea, especially Mazandaran and swimming beache is constantly exposed to microbial contamination that can be dangerous for swimmers and tourists health. The present study aimed to evaluate the microbial contamination of swimming water in the Caspian shores of Mazandaran province. Materials and methods: For reviewing the microbiological status of some swimming water of the Caspian Sea in Mazandaran province beach, five stations were studied i.e. Fereidoon kenar, Babolsar, Joibar and Sari during January to March 2010. Mean total coliform, aerobic bacteria, fecal streptococci and Escherichia coli were determined by standard methods. Results: Results showed that mean number of aerobic bacteria in Joibar station, in summer with 187 cfu/ml of sea water in minimum and in Sari station with 5800 cfu/ml of sea water was highest number. The lowest mean total coliforms in winter from Joibar station was less than 10 cfu/ml of sea water and maximum number with 2700 cfu/ml of sea water was reported from Sari station in autumn, minimum Escherichia coli less than 10 cfu/ml of sea water in winter from Joibar station and in the autumn with 1600 cfu/ml of sea water was the maximum number in Sari station. Conclusion: The study showed all coastal areas of the Mazandaran province were contaminated. This study indicated that the coastal waters of the Mazandaran province pollutants can be dangerous for swimmers and tourists health.

Keywords: Caspian Sea, Mazandaran coastal waters, microbial contamination

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